Another example of animal rights activists' hatred for humans

Parents of rabbit flu death son taunted by animal rights extremists | the Daily Mail:
"Animal rights activists have targeted the parents of Britain's first known human victim of 'rabbit flu', with telephone callers telling them his death was a 'rabbit's revenge'."

While at least one anti-hunting group has spoken out against the telephone harassment of grieving parents who have lost their only child, there is no sympathy among the animal rights and anti-hunting crowd for the necessity to control pests like rabbits if farming is to continue.

McCain junket tied to presidential bid?

McCain heads overseas to observe global warming effects - The Business Journal of Phoenix: :
"Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Mel Martinez, R-Fla., Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., Richard Burr, R-N.C., and John Sununu, R-N.H., are slated to go on the congressional trip with McCain."

The newspaper is too polite to make the connection explicit, but includes this helpful list of key states:
"The Arizonan is expected to run for president again in 2008 and is courting voters and key GOP supporters in battleground states such as Iowa, Florida, Ohio, South Carolina, New Hampshire and California."

Of the six states on that list, three have Republican senators traveling in McCain's group (FL, SC, NH) and one has no GOP senator (CA). Of course, this is merely a coincidence. Also merely coincidental is that, if McCain is to do well in SC, he should be looking to do well in NC and GA, as well.

Isaid this was going to cause trouble

My Way News - NYC Officials Want New 'Survivor' Pulled:
"[City Councilor John] Liu, who is Asian-American, said he was launching a campaign urging CBS to pull the show because it could encourage racial division and promote negative typecasts. He and a coalition of officials, including the council's black, Latino and Asian caucus, planned to rally at City Hall on Friday."

Somehow, though, I did not expect the first squawk to come from the NYC Council - I thought the city had bigger fish to fry, but it appears I was wrong.

Leak Investigation Ordered

Leak Investigation Ordered:

"'It's one of the first tangible signs that the view of the Bush administration, that journalists are not immune from prosecution for trafficking in classified information, might have currency with some federal judges,' said Rodney A. Smolla, dean of the University of Richmond Law School and an expert on First Amendment law. He said it is an 'open question' whether federal law allows for the prosecution of journalists for publishing classified information.

"The possibility of such prosecutions has swirled around Washington since the New York Times broke a story in December about the National Security Agency's surveillance of terrorist-related calls between people in the United States and abroad.

"Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales has suggested publicly that New York Times journalists could be prosecuted for the NSA articles, and federal authorities are investigating other possible leaks that led to reports in The Washington Post about secret CIA prisons, law enforcement and intelligence officials have said."

First, the First Amendment issue -

With all due respect to Dean Smolla, if anyone can be prosecuted under the Espionage Act, then anyone includes journalists. If journalists cannot be prosecuted, then nobody can.

The First Amendment, when it speaks of "freedom of the press" does not refer to an institution which in modern times we term journalism. It refers to the very personal act of disseminating information and ideas, even by means of mechanical reproduction.

The First Amendment does not create a specially-privileged class having greater access to free speech than the rest of us. Shame on Dean Smolla for even giving credence to such a view.

Second, the sub-text of the press outrage over the NSA warrantless wiretapping flap -

I have been mystified by the legs this story has had given that such surveillance of electronic communications has been in place for a generation under the rubric of Echelon - a cooperative program of the intelligence services of the Anglo-Saxon nations. Under Echelon, each partner snoops on the citizens of other members of Echelon so that each escapes the limits on "domestic" surveillance adopted by their respective legislatures.

Now, reading the juxtaposition of elements in the paragraphs quoted above from the Washington Post, it occurs to me that maybe what's new is that a new generation of reporters has discovered that they, along with the rest of us, are being surveilled. And, for those who are anxious to undermine the Bush Administration by hook or by crook, the realization that trafficking in state secrets might land them in jail despite the nobility of their cause.

New York Daily News - News & Views Columnists - Mark Corallo: Stop Justice Dept.'s attack on reporters

New York Daily News - News & Views Columnists - Mark Corallo: Stop Justice Dept.'s attack on reporters:

"And in the Eastern District of Virginia, the Justice Department is using antiquated espionage statutes to prosecute two lobbyists for the pro-Israel organization AIPAC for receiving classified information. This is significant because it provides a chilling prospect for the many members of the media who receive classified information (most often unknowingly) on a daily basis.

"Will federal prosecutors use this case as the precedent to go after reporters for getting leaks? It's not wild speculation. In public statements, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has hinted that this may be an avenue of attack in future cases."

Thus argues a former public affairs officer for the Justice Department. Having conceded that the law doesn't distinguish between reporters and other citizens he still says that reporters must have rights not enjoyed by the rest of the public. Somehow the logic of why reporters should be privileged to receive classified information and - much more importantly - to transmit it to third parties escapes me.

Even more surprising is the way he works in the AIPAC case. The recipients of classified information there were lobbyists for the interests of a foreign power and not journalists. How could their prosecution be chilling to journalists?

And then, of course, the question he doesn't even acknowledge: Who is a journalist? Reporters and editors for the New York Times or CBS? Certainly. A freelance writer whose work regularly appears in places like Harper's and The Atlantic? Probably. An academic who publishes articles in outlets like Foreign Affairs? Maybe. What about people who write for or edit private newsletters or industry trade papers? What about the newsletter writer whose product appears not in print but only on the Web? What about bloggers? If there is to be a privileged class of persons called journalists, who is to be included?

An interesting social experiment of a dangerous ratings gimmick?

BREITBART.COM - New 'Survivor' Divides Groups by Race:
"Host Jeff Probst says ... the show is 'a social experiment. And this is adding another layer to that experiment.'"

I must admit I am the only person in America who doesn't watch Survivor. Still, it is all but impossible not to be aware of developments on the show.

Forgive me for pointing this out, but it is clear to me that this is a bit more than increasing the show's diversity factor. The producers doubtless expect to build the show's ratings by providing whole teams for minority viewers to cheer for. And, their joint interest in beating the white folks will unite them as well.

Cheering on the white team just because they are white is the sort of thing that "nice" folks won't do, but it will probably draw out the Neo-Nazis, Skinheads and other assorted dangerous nutjobs. This will serve to stigmatize the white team's supporters.

When minorities prefer their own group it is a sign of necessary and beneficial solidarity in the face of the white power structure. When whites prefer their own group it is a conspiracy to hold onto their undeserved power.

I hope the producers stack the white team with losers. Otherwise, its successes might lead to rioting.

Politics makes strange bedfellows, so they say. International politics makes the strangest.

Exclusive: Israel buys 2 new submarines from Germany | Jerusalem Post:
"... a warming in German-Israel ties. In 2005, the countries agreed for the first time to hold joint ground maneuvers. In June, the INS Eilat missile ship participated for the first time in a NATO exercise in the Black Sea, together with German Navy."

Israel and Germany have announced the expansion of the former's nuclear weapons delivery systems with the addition of two more German-made submarines to Israel's fleet.

While the subs have other uses - conventionally-armed missiles, coastal patrol, espionage, etc. - their main value is as a platform for nuclear-armed cruise missiles which would survive another power's first-strike on Israel and can be used to retaliate against any country in the region which might be so foolish as to make such an attack on Israel or to take revenge on other nations which may not have helped sufficiently to protect Israel. Call them Israel's doomsday device.

Another crooner speaks

TONY BENNETT - TONY BENNETT: 'AMERICA IS CULTURALLY VOID':
"Bennett says, 'I have travelled around the world to Asia and Europe. They show you what they have contributed to the world. The British show you theatre, the Italians show you music and art, the French show you cooking and painting, and the Germans show you science. The only thing that the United States, which is still a young country, has contributed culturally to the world is jazz - elongated improvisation.'"

I happen to enjoy very much Mr. Bennett's singing, but this little offering in cultural criticism ought to be laughed out of the house just on internal evidence. For starters, how does travel in Asia and Europe, as well as the US, make one an expert on world culture? What about Africa, the Island nations of the Pacific, and Latin America? And, don't forget Canada! Oh, Canada - land of Alex Trebek, Celine Dione and Anne Murray.

For example, the Brits, Bennett says, are prominent in theater. Certainly the West End has a fine tradition of legitimate theater, but is it an order of magnitude greater than that of Broadway and the lesser theatrical venues of New York City?

Or, for another example, he says the Germans have bragging rights in science. That is a point that might have been well made in the 19th century, but not since. Juxtapose the lists of Nobel laureates in Medicine, Chemistry and Physics from the US and Germany - you will find the American list far longer.

I suppose that ritual denunciations of one's own country are the price one pays for recognition as a good American by the snobs of France and the other exemplars of all true and valuable culture.

Another artist turns critic

Dylan says modern recordings "atrocious"�|�US News�|�Reuters.com:
"'You listen to these modern records, they're atrocious, they have sound all over them,' he added. 'There's no definition of nothing, no vocal, no nothing, just like ... static.'"

This reminds me of an interview several years ago with Frank Zappa. When asked about a then-current trend in music he said (approximately) - That's got nothing to do with music; it's for people who are into studded dog collars.

While I suspect Dylan has a point, you might expect a bit more modesty from a guy whose own work got the bum's rush from the powers that be the first time they heard it.

OTOH, what the heck do I know about contemporary music? I seldom listen to anything that wasn't written before I was born. Saw an old movie on cable the other night featuring Kay Kyser's College of Musical Knowledge with Ish Kabibble - that's my idea of fine music ... and comedy. If you want something from my own lifetime, I could recommend Spike Jones or Ernie Kovacs. And, if you absolutely require something contemporary, there is always Prof. Peter Schickele of the University of Southern North Dakota lecturing on P.D.Q. Bach.

Buchanan Book Links Suicide of the West to Immigation Crisis

DRUDGE REPORT FLASH 2006�:
"Buchanan warns: 'The children born in 2006 will witness in their lifetimes the death of the West.'"

French novelist Jean Raspail's In The Camp Of The Saints was a compelling work of fiction. It described the fall of France to a flotilla of third world immigrants coming ashore on the Riviera. Pat Buchanan's new book, State Of Emergency: Third World Invasion And Conquest Of America is, according to the brief review by Matt Drudge, a frightening work of non-fiction.

Here's a couple of nuggets cited by Drudge that I had not seen before:
One out of twelve illegal immigrants already has a criminal record before they get here.
Ten to 20 percent of the combined populations of Mexico, Central America and the Carribean is already here.

In another book I read recently which traces the interaction of immigration and affirmative action - remember that all these immigrants qualify for preferential treatment in hiring and public services - the economic "benefit" of illegals worked out to about one percent of GDP, but the enjoyment of that benefit was highly concentrated among the owners of businesses in a few industries like poultry and meatpacking.

Those who collectively derive several hundred millions of dollars in profiits can easily afford to spend millions to lobby for the status quo or more generous immigration policies, while the vast majority of citizens who are net losers - we who pay the taxes to provide education, healthcare, prisons and other public services for these immigrants - cannot compete in the "rent a Congressman" business.

Racism charged in NJ immigration debate - and maybe the Rev. Rivera is racist

My Way News:
"Rev. Miguel Rivera, president of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders, called the Riverside law 'racist.' He criticized Mayor Charles Hilton by saying his initiative in passing the law was equivalent to the Confederate flag being flown by the counter-demonstrators."

It seems Mayor Hilton has angered the large Brazilian community in his city by supporting a local ordinance that would, like existing federal statute, forbid employment of illegal aliens. It would also forbid landlords to rent to illegals.

Rev. Rivera says this is racist. But, isn't Rev. Rivera's unstated assumption that the illegal immigrants targeted by this legislation are non-white a racist perspective? Someone should ask Rev. Rivera why he feels non-whites are more likely to break the laws of the United States.

Maine awaits

local6.com - Local News - Woman Ordered To Get Rid Of 168 Cats:

"Local 6 News reported that Grant knows every one of the cats by name.

"She said she may move and take all of the cats with her."

In light of recent reports of strange, blood-thisty creatures stalking Maine, perhaps Kristy Grant of Pierson, Florida, should take here illegal cat house operation to Maine where the supernatural predators could thin the population. Ms. Grant is reported to have 42 times the legal limit of four cats st her present location.

Not a Chupacabra, just a feral Chow-Chow

BREITBART.COM - Expert: 'Hybrid' Creature Is Just a Dog:

"An expert who examined the remains of a mystery creature believes it was a wild dog. But that hasn't stopped runaway speculation about the beast and whether it was responsible for mauling dogs and frightening residents.

"Loren Coleman, a Portland author and cryptozoologist, said he didn't know for sure what the animal was based on his examination of its remains Wednesday.

"'I think this dead animal is a chow or chow-mix, a relatively small dog, that was feral, which is unusual for that area,' he told the Sun Journal newspaper. He noted, however, that his was only an educated guess based on the findings so far."

I wonder what sort of "expert" thinks a 60-pound Chow-Chow is a "relatively small dog." The natural condition of feral dogs, given several generations to breed and adequate environmental conditions, is to regress to the mean at about 40 pounds. While 60 pounds is not large compared to Great Danes, Mastiffs, Rottweilers, etc., it is in the range of pit bulls and larger than most household pets.

Too bad there is an easy, natural explanation. There's nothing like a good Chupacabra story to liven up the news in the "dog days" of summer.

Im back!

I’m back!

For my family and friends who have been kind enough to read my postings here, I apologize for my long absence. A combination of factors including my desktop computer going down, my DSL connection going on the fritz and my photography hobby getting out of hand all played a part, as did the fact that I just didn’t feel that urgently about most of the current news. I have been carrying on several e-mail debates during this period and some of that material will be recycled here in coming weeks.

Well, after an absence that began just before Memorial Day, I have resolved to get back in the groove. It is the latter half of August – schools will be back in session soon and so, alas, will Congress. Labor Day is just around the corner and the 2006 election campaigns will heat up. I am particularly interested in the Santorum campaign in Pennsylvania and the Allen campaign in Virginia.

Rick Santorum has disappointed Republicans at times, but much less often than Arlen Specter. In short, taking him all in all, Santorum is probably as good a conservative as can run competitively in this not-so-conservative state.

George Allen I knew slightly when he was in law school at UVa and I liked him. He was very down to earth - probably the only law student who went to classes wearing cowboy boots. So far, his is the only name being seriously touted for the GOP nomination in 2008 that I could support, so I hope George pulls out a victory in his re-election campaign.

I have been going out for a few hours most days exploring backroads where you can drive slow without people honking at you and get out and stalk along the shoulders looking for butterflies, wildflowers, and other interesting stuff. Each of these little safaris then required a similar amount of time in front of the computer sorting through the results, deleting the junk, researching what species I had found, and so on. If you want to see a small sample of the results of my obsession with photography lately, please visit my photo blog: http://keensphotos.blogspot.com/